Montréal

Montréal Travel Guide

• About Montreal

With its alluring fusion of cobblestone streets, flashy skyscrapers, European chic and North American swagger, Montreal is unlike any other city on the continent. Canada’s largest French-speaking city is happy to dish out a dose of old-world charm amid its grand heritage buildings and 18th- and 19th-century narrow lanes. But it’s a progressive city too: a creative hub, where swanky boutique hotels radiate contemporary cool, and a slew of flashy new skyscrapers are competing to make their mark on the skyline. This is a sophisticated riverside metropolis, crammed with cosmopolitan eateries, hyper-cool shops and a cornucopia of festivals. When it comes to sightseeing, there’s plenty to gawp at. Enjoy a horse-drawn carriage ride (calèche) along the St Laurence River in Old Montreal and amble down to the buzzing harbour front. Stroll to Plateau Mont-Royal, where wrought-iron staircases, designer fashion boutiques, a thriving arts scene and snazzy nightspots pepper its funky streets. Pop over to Mile End, home to Jewish, Greek and Italian communities, and a hipster magnet thanks to its quirky restaurants, cafés, shops and bars. Le Village Gai is one of North America’s largest gay districts, where you can dine alfresco in the summer when rue Sainte-Catherine becomes pedestrianised. Sip a cappuccino in Little Italy, home to the Jean-Talon Market, or escape from the urban hustle to Pôle des Rapides, a 21km (12-mile) park where you can enjoy a lazy cruise along the Lachine Canal. Foodies go bananas for Montreal’s finger-licking cuisine. The city claims to have the largest number of eateries per capita in North America, and its markets are something to truly savour – tuck into delicious specialities like crepes and fried squid and ubiquitous maple syrup products. The food truck phenomenon has taken Montreal by storm too, with an eclectic mix of vendors dishing up everything from dim sum to schnitzel. Up for a party? Montreal’s festival vibe is second-to-none, from world-class jamming at the International Jazz Festival to chuckles by the bucket load at the Just for Laughs Festival. And don’t miss the crazily chilly line-up of outdoor shows at winter festival Montréal en Lumière.

• Montreal History

Montreal has ridden a rollercoaster up to the heady heights of being Canada’s commercial hub, plunging into economic gloom, then soaring back up to become a buzzing 21st-century success story. First Nations people occupied the island of Montreal as early as 4,000 years ago, eventually building fortified villages. One such place was the Iroquois village of Hochelaga at the foot of Mount Royal, ‘discovered’ by French explorer Jacques Cartier in 1535. But when another French explorer Samuel de Champlain arrived 70 years later, the settlement had gone. In 1642, Paul de Chomedey, sieur de Maisonneuve, created the first building blocks of modern Montreal. The French ruled the colony until 1760, when it was surrendered to the British. By 1832, Montreal had become a city. The opening of the Lachine Canal permitted ships to navigate the treacherous Lachine Rapids, while the construction of the Victoria Bridge established Montreal as a major railway hub. The city enjoyed a brief five-year spell as the capital of Canada. By 1860, Montreal was the largest city in British North America. In the early 20th century, the city’s fortunes waxed and waned; it became an alcoholic bolthole for Americans during Prohibition but the Great Depression led to mass unemployment. After WWII, Montreal’s population exceeded 1 million, the metro system was developed, and towering skyscrapers and motorways were built. Far-reaching social and political changes were ushered in during the 1960s and 1970s as a result of growing unease among the French-speaking population about the preservation of their language and culture. The 1976 election of the Parti Quebecois resulted in the migration of businesses and people from the city. Montreal was surpassed by Toronto as Canada’s commercial centre. The 1980s and 1990s were grim years, but the 21st century has seen a revival in Montreal’s fortunes as new industries have taken off.

• Did you know?

John Lennon wrote ‘Give peace a chance’ during his ‘bed-in’ at the Queen Elizabeth Hotel in 1969. It took Montreal 30 years to pay off the cost of hosting the 1976 Olympic Games. Montreal became a UNESCO City of Design in 2006. Weather in Montreal The best time to visit Montreal is the summer, when the nights can be sultry and the whole city seems to be partying (notably during Festival International de Jazz de Montréal). Temperatures average 22°C (72°F) but can exceed 30°C (86°F). Conversely, cold fronts bring crisp, windy weather in the early and later parts of summer. Cooler autumns are a great time to visit the forested Laurentians or hills of the eastern townships. Even the cold and snowy winters are enjoyable – the city authorities maintain more than 150 skating rinks in the region as daily averages drop to -10°C (14°F).

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Things to see in Montréal

Attractions

• Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal

Dating back to 1829, this cathedral is the city’s most iconic building. It was the first gothic-revival church to be built in Canada and its handsome twin towers house an 11 tonne bell nicknamed “Jean-Baptiste”. Adding to local lore, French-Canadian chanteuse, Celine Dion was married here in 1994. The Basilica’s vast size, its extraordinary craftsmanship, fine works of art and chapel are impressive, particularly the latter considering the fact it had to be rebuilt after a fire in 1978. With over 350 years of history, the Parish of Notre-Dame boasts a wealth of trivia, tales and urban legends. Address: 110 Notre-Dame Street West, Montreal. Telephone: +1 514 842 2925 Opening times: Daily 09:00-16:00. Website: www.basiliquenddm.org Admission Fees: Yes Disabled Access: Yes UNESCO: No

• Space for Life

Canada’s largest natural science museum complex, Space for Life, offers four different attractions. The newest opened in spring 2013; the Rio Tinto Alcan Planetarium housed in a $48million building featuring two silver cones pointing skywards like telescopes. Inside, in the Chaos Theatre, visitors can journey into space against the backdrop of a Philip Glass symphony soundtrack. The planetarium also contains a permanent exhibition of meteorites and interactive terminals, videos and multimedia games. Also on the site is a Biodôme where you can learn about flora and fauna in five different ecosystems, an Insectarium offering a diverse and colourful collection of insects, butterflies, moths and spiders, and the Botanical Garden covering 73 hectares (180 acres), which includes a Chinese garden, Japanese garden and a Tree House displaying information on Quebec’s forests. Address: 4101 Sherbrooke St E, Montreal. Telephone: +1 514 868 3000 Opening times: Tue-Sun 09:00-17:00. Website: www.espacepourlavie.ca Admission Fees: Yes Disabled Access: Yes UNESCO: No

• Vieux-Port (Old Port)

The Old Port was once one of the most important trading ports in North America. With most shipping activity now taking place downriver, this area has been transformed into an excellent recreation and exhibition area, filled with walkers, cyclists and rollerbladers on the riverside promenades between the Clock Tower and the locks at Parc des Écluses. The Montreal Science Centre , on King Edward Pier, is a science and entertainment centre geared towards a family experience, with exhibitions, the Immersion Movie Game (interactive video game on a giant screen) and an IMAX cinema. Address: 2 rue de la Commune, Quai King Edward, Montreal. Telephone: +1 514 496 7678  Opening times: Daily 10:00-17:00. Website: www.oldportofmontreal.com Admission Fees: Yes Disabled Access: No UNESCO: No

• Vieux-Montréal (Old Montreal)

Located near the St Lawrence River, Old Montreal is the site of the original fortified city. The buildings and streets date from the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries and have been carefully restored. The area is filled, throughout the summer, with tourists who come to stroll along the cobblestone streets, visit the boutiques and re staurants or simply soak up the joie de vivre among the street entertainers and pavement cafes in the former marketplace of place Jacques-Cartier. A tour on a horsedrawn calèche makes for an especially romantic way to see the sights. Address: 110 rue Notre-Dame West, Montreal. Opening times: Daily 24 hours. Website: www.vieux.montreal.qc.ca Admission Fees: No Disabled Access: No UNESCO: No

• Centre Canadien d’Architecture (CCA)

The Canadian Centre for Architecture should be seen as much for its own architecture as for the fascinating temporary exhibitions on buildings, architects and architectural movements inside. Peter Rose designed the modern building, whose austere limestone facade contrasts with the adjoining Shaughnessy House typical of the residences of Montreal’s wealthy elite at the turn of the century. The area behind the museum is the CCA sculpture garden, designed by Melvin Charney. Address: 1920 rue Baile, Montreal. Telephone: +1 514 939 7026 Opening times: Wed-Sun 11:00-18:00, Thurs until 21:00. Website: www.cca.qc.ca Admission Fees: Yes (except for Thursdays after 17:30). Disabled Access: No UNESCO: No

• Parc Olympique (Olympic Park)

The Olympic Park was the site of the 1976 Olympic Games. The unique and costly (over C$1 billion) Olympic Stadium is now the venue for concerts and features a sports centre with four large swimming pools. Half-hour guided tours are available and visitors can also take a funicular (cable car) ride up the world’s tallest inclined tower (175m/575ft). Nearby, the former velodrome is now a major and extremely popular attraction – the Biodôme de Montréal is a recreation of five ecosystems under one roof. Visitors can move from a tropical rainforest to a polar world, with stops in a Laurentian forest and St Lawrence marine environment en route. Address: 4545 avenue Pierre de Coubertin, Montreal. Telephone: +1 514 252 4141 Opening times: Daily 09:00-17:00. Website: www.parcolympique.qc.ca Admission Fees: Yes Disabled Access: No UNESCO: No

• Oratoire St-Joseph (St Joseph’s Oratory)

Found on the northwest side of Mount Royal, ‘Joe’s Place’ is a magnificent Roman Catholic basilica which was begun in 1924 by Brother André, a celebrated healer, and completed in 1967, after his death. The 97m-high (318ft) dome is one of the largest in the world and there is room for 10,000 worshippers beneath it. The votive chapel and crypt are worth investigating and there is a good view over the city from the terrace. Address: 3800 chemin Queen-Mary, Montreal. Telephone: +1 514 733 8211 Opening times: Daily 06:30-21:00. Website: www.saint-joseph.org  Admission Fees: No Disabled Access: Yes UNESCO: No

• Musée des Beaux-Arts de Montréal (Montreal Museum of Fine Arts)

Since it was established in 1860, the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts has been at the forefront of promoting Canadian and international art. The permanent collection is split between the original beaux-arts building, which houses Canadian, Inuit and First Nations art, as well as decorative arts; and the postmodern structure opposite where European masters, prints and drawings and decorative arts are exhibited. In the tunnel connecting the pavilions are galleries showcasing contemporary Canadian artists and a small collection from ancient cultures. In 2000, the museum received the Liliane and David M Stewart Collection as a gift, comprising some 5,000 items of decorative art dating from the end of the 1930s onwards. The whole collection of the former Montreal Museum of Decorative Arts, one of the most important in North America, thus entered the museum. The museum also has a reputation for hosting outstanding temporary exhibitions. Address: 1379-1380 rue Sherbrooke West, Montreal. Telephone: +1 514 285 2000 Opening times: Tues-Sun 10:00-17:00. Website: www.mmfa.qc.ca Admission Fees: No (forpermanent exhibitions). Admission is half price on Wednesdays 15:00-20:30. Disabled Access: Yes UNESCO: No

• Galerie René BlouinGalerie BLOUIN DIVISION

This gallery never ceases to boggle the mind. Contemporary Canadian artists exhibit their work to the astonishment of art buffs and critics alike. Address: 2020 William St, Montreal. Telephone: +1 514 938 3863 Opening times: Tues-Fri 10:00-18:00, Sat 11:00-17:00. Website: www.galeriereneblouin.dreamhosters.com Admission Fees: No Disabled Access: Yes UNESCO: No

• Chapelle Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours

Built in 1771, this is the city’s oldest church; it contains original Édouard Meloche frescoes and has a small museum devoted to the life of Marguerite Bourgeoys (Canada’s first saint). The tower affords excellent views of the port and surrounding streets. Address: 400 rue St-Paul East , Montreal. Telephone: +1 514 282 8670 Opening times: Daily 10:00-18:00. Website: www.margueritebourgeoys.org Admission Fees: Yes Disabled Access: Yes UNESCO: No

• Montreal Museum of Archaeology and History

In the western end of Old Montreal, Pointe-à-Callière, the Montreal Museum of Archaeology and History, tells the story of Montreal from its earliest days – with high-tech displays in the stunningly modern Eperon Building, and archaeological remains in the portions of the museum below place Royale (including the city’s original sewers) and under the renovated ld Customs House. Address: Place Royale, la Commune, Old Montreal. Telephone: +1 514 872 9150 Opening times: Tues-Sun 10:00-17:00, Sat 11:00-18:00. Website: www.pacmusee.qc.ca Admission Fees: Yes Disabled Access: No UNESCO: No

• Montreal Science Centre

A popular trip for families, the Montreal Science Centre has a constant fresh rota of exhibitions and programmes. Learning through interaction is the name of the game, with hands on workshops, special events and fun activities. There is also an IMAX cinema should the little ones demand easy entertainment. Address: Quai King Edward, 2 rue de la Commune, Montreal. Telephone: +1 514 496 4724 Opening times: Daily 09:30-16:00. Website: www.montrealsciencecentre.com Admission Fees: Yes Disabled Access: Yes UNESCO: No

• Musée d’Art Contemporain de Montréal (Montreal Museum of Contemporary Art)

Adjoining the plaza at the Place des Arts, the Montreal Museum of Contemporary Arts is Canada’s only museum devoted exclusively to contemporary art. The museum’s permanent collection is on display in one wing, on a rotating basis – the collection of works by Québécois artists, such as Jean-Paul Riopelle and Paul-Emile Borduas, whose expressive canvases typify the Automatistes of the mid-20th century, is particularly strong. The other wing features temporary exhibitions focusing on one or more artists. A small sculpture garden makes for a quiet retreat. Address: 185 rue Ste-Catherine West, Montreal. Telephone: +1 514 847 6226 Opening times: Tues-Sun 11:30-18:00. Website: www.macm.org Admission Fees: Yes (except free on Wednesdays 18:00-21:00). Disabled Access: No UNESCO: No

• Parc Jean-Drapeau

Montreal’s largest park comprises two islands (Ile Ste-Hélène and Ile Notre-Dame) and was the site of the city’s monumental Expo 67 World Fair. Today, the islands are a great spot for exploring on foot, bicycle or rollerblades. Half of Ile Ste-Hélène is taken up by La Ronde amusement park. Elsewhere on the island is the Stewart Museum, located in Montreal’s only fort. It recalls the region’s martial history with costumed guides and re-enactments. Nearby, a geodesic dome contains the Biosphère – a museum devoted to increasing awareness about river and water ecology. On Sundays throughout the summer, groove to the beats at Piknic electronic, a hedonistic outdoor dance party featuring the best international and local DJs and terrific views of the city. Address: Parc Jean-Drapeau, Montreal. Telephone: +1 514 872 6120 Opening times: Daily 06:00-12:00. Website: www.parcjeandrapeau.com Admission Fees: No Disabled Access: Yes UNESCO: No

Tourist Offices

• Centre Infotouriste

Address: 1255 Rue Peel, Montreal. Telephone: +1 514 873 2015 Opening times: Daily 09:00-17:00. Website: www.bonjourquebec.com

• Bureau d’Accueil Touristique du Vieux-Montréal

Address: 174 Rue Notre-Dame East, Montreal. Telephone: +1 514 873 2015 Opening times: Daily 10:00-18:00. Website: www.mtl.org

Tourist passes

The Montreal Museums Pass allows visitors free admission to 38 museums and attractions in the city for three consecutive days. These are available with or without public transport from both tourist offices and participating museums.

Things to do in Montréal

• Grab a ticket to Montreal’s hockey Mecca

Considered holy ground by many, the Bell Centre Website: www.bellcentre.ca is home territory for Montreal’s beloved hockey team, the Montreal Canadiens. Such is their popularity that every seat has been sold-out for over a decade: so book well in advance. If you can’t bag one, the stadium tour and Hall of Fame are worth visiting too.

• Hit the slopes for a spot of skiing

For downhill and cross-country skiing, Montreal’s powder hounds are simply spoiled for choice. Mont Tremblant Telephone: +1 888 738 1777 Website: www.tremblant.ca a two-hour drive from the city, is popular but expensive, whilst Bromont Telephone: +1 866 276 6668 Website: www.skibromont.com offers the largest illuminated ski terrain in North America. Skiers out of season, should head north to Mont Saint Sauveur Telephone: +1 450 227 4671 Website: www.montsaintsauveur.com

• Paddle through a National Park

Surrounded by hundreds of lakes, there couldn’t be a better place to take up the serene pastime of canoeing than Montreal. Oka Park, L’Anse-a-l’Orme and the Laurentians all have water access. Just south of Montreal Parc Iles-de-Boucherville Telephone: +1 800 665 6527 Website: www.sepaq.com has clearly marked water trails to take kayakers between islands, as well as equipment rental.

• Tackle Canada’s wild white waters

The Laurentian Mountains have fast-flowing, clean rivers with rapids that are ideal for white-water rafting. New World Rafting Telephone: +1 800 361 5033 Website: www.newworld.ca offer rides down the Rouge River, but if paddling doesn’t appeal Rafting Montreal Telephone: +1 514 767 2230 Website: www.raftingmontreal.com tackle the Lachine Rapids in a piloted jet boat instead.

• Trek to the Eastern Townships

Within Montreal, Mount Royal has peaceful paths up and around the mountain, which are ideal for ramblers looking to escape the sounds of traffic. Outside the city, both the stunning Laurentian Mountains and the Eastern Townships offer adventurous hikers the chance to lace their boots for more strenuous and scenic excursions.

Montréal tours and excursions

Montreal tours

• Walking tours

Héritage Montréal offers a number of ‘Architectours’ of the city’s historical architecture and neighbourhoods. Guidatour offers daily tours of Old Montreal, departing from the Basilique Notre-Dame. Telephone: +1 514 286 2662 , +1 514 844 4021 Website: www.heritagemontreal.qc.ca

• Bicycle tours

Guidatour offers guided cycling tours. It covers 15km (9.5 miles) in three hours and takes in the Old Port, the Latin Quarter, La Fontaine Park, The Plateau, Mount-Royal Park, the Underground City and Old Montreal. Other cycling tours are available on request. The free-spirited can find maps of the city’s network to plan a personalised journey at Voyagezfute. Telephone: +1 514 844 4021 Website: www.voyagezfute.ca

Montreal excursions

• Lachine Canal

Leading west from the Old Port is the historic Lachine Canal. Dating from 1825, it originally allowed boats to bypass the Lachine Rapids and was only re-opened for pleasure craft in 2002. Today, there are now 14km (9 miles) of bicycle paths along the canal and a couple of interesting historic sites. For fresh air, you can walk alongside the canal or for a rush of adrenaline sign up for a jet-boat or rafting trip. Telephone: +1 514 284 9607 , +1 514 767 2230 Website: www.raftingmontreal.com

• Laurentian Mountains

This region, to the north of Montreal along Highway 15, is one of the oldest mountain ranges in the world and now a major North American skiing centre and popular spot for hiking and cycling. Nonetheless, there is still a huge amount of untouched wilderness to be explored – particularly in the Parc du Mont-Tremblant, about 130km (81 miles) from Montreal. At 935m (3,068ft), Mont-Tremblant is the highest mountain in the region and a major ski and outdoors centre. Trendy Mont St-Sauveur offers terrific night skiing and is popular for its proximity to Montreal – about 60km (37 miles). Telephone: +1 450 224 7007 , +1 800 561 6673 Website: www.laurentians.com

Shopping in Montréal

Montreal offers superb shopping, from sophisticated shopping centres to wonderful public markets.

• Key areas

Downtown is your best bet for choice in terms of name brands and chain stores. There is a concentrated row of shoe shops and clothing stores on St Catherine in addition to several tourist tat places. Head to the elite Greene Avenue in Westmount for chi chi boutiques and quality goods. Still in Westmount, but along Sherbrooke Street West between Grosvenor and Marlowe, there are some unique little shops which are excellent for one-of-a-kind gifts. The Plateau (along St Laurent and St Denis) has the edge on second hand stores and media-cool accessories. Old Montreal is aimed at tourists and though there are some designer boutiques well worth visiting, for the most part you’ll be looking at souvenir stores or maple syrup stands.

• Markets

Montreal’s markets, or marchés publics, are wonderful places to browse a wide range of produce from fruits, vegetables, meat, fish, seafood to maple products, honey, baked goods, spices and other goods. One of the city’s biggest markets is Jean-Talon, 7070 Henri-Julien Street, located in the Little Italy district. It is packed with some of the best Quebecois street food such as crepes, fried squid, roasted chestnuts, as well as fantastic meats, cheese, oils, pastries. Other good markets include Atwater, on 138 Atwater Avenue, specialising in fine foods and speciality boutiques, and Maisonneuve, 4445 Ontario Street East, which is housed in a gorgeous Beaux-Arts style building, the former site of the old market built before WW1. All three markets are open year-round too.

• Shopping centres

Downtown has a good selection of shopping centres from upmarket Ogilvy’s, 1307 rue Ste-Catherine West, and Holt Renfrew, 1300 rue Sherbrooke West to more affordable garments and perfumes at The Bay, 585 rue Ste-Catherine West. The Eaton Centre, 705 Ste-Catherine Street West, is a nice airy mall which has all your chain stores as well as some Canadian goods you might not find elsewhere.

• Opening hours

Shops are generally open Monday to Wednesday 10:00-18:00, Thursday and Friday 10:00-21:00, Saturday 10:00-17:00 and Sunday 12:00-17:00.

• Souvenirs

First Nations crafts, maple products, bagels, smoked meats, Inuit soapstone carvings and hardy winter clothes.

• Tax information

The 5% federal Goods and Services Tax (GST) and 7.5% provincial Quebec Sales Tax (QST) are levied on most products and services.

Restaurants in Montréal

From street deli to white linen dining, Montreal offers visitors a wide range of choice when it comes to eating. Thanks to its many different ethnic communities, the restaurant scene is one of Montreal’s cherished aspects. The Montreal restaurants below have been grouped into three pricing categories: Expensive (over $60) Moderate (C$30 to C$60) Cheap (up to C$30) These Montreal restaurant prices are for a three-course meal for one, including half a bottle of house wine or equivalent and tax. A service charge will not normally be added to your bill unless eating in large group. Otherwise, 15% tip is customary.

Expensive

• Gibby’s

Cuisine: Steakhouse With its Old Montreal location in a building that dates to 1740s, atmosphere is this restaurant’s selling point. The old stables’ courtyard makes the perfect setting for a romantic meal or special occasion. Gibby’s has been a Montreal must for generations. Note, it is only open for dinner from 1730 onwards. Think: rib eye steaks or a rack of lamb paired with a tannic red. Address: 298 Place D’Youville, Montreal. Telephone: +1 514 282 1837 Website: www.gibbys.com

• Le Filet

Cuisine: Seafood A buzz-worthy recent addition to Montreal’s fine-dining scene, Le Filet always surprises with a creative and ever-evolving menu that utilises the best in regionally caught seafood. Closed Sundays, a reservation is essential. Address: 219 Avenue du Mont-Royal Ouest, Montreal. Telephone: +1 514 360 6060 Website: www.lefilet.ca

• Toqué

Cuisine: French Arguably one of the classiest establishments in Montreal, with food to match, Toqué continues to set the standard for fine dining. Passionate about food and wine, and sourcing his produce locally, award winning chef, Normand Laprise makes sure his diners get a memorable and flawless eating experience. Address: 900 place Jean-Paul Riopelle, Montreal. Telephone: +1 514 499 2084 Website: www.restaurant-toque.com

Moderate

• Au Pied de Cochon

Cuisine: Canadian One of Anthony Bourdain’s favourite restaurants, Au Pied is a glutton’s delight whose specialty is fois gras (geese have been fed on maple syrup no less). Chef Martin Picard is a legend for including simple but fatty masterpieces to the menu, like his to-die-for fois gras hamburgers or succulent duck-in-a-can. Booking ahead is essential, so is starving yourself for a day or two before and after. Address: 536 East Duluth, Montreal. Telephone: +1 514 281 1114 Website: www.restaurantaupieddecochon.ca

• Kyo Bar Japonais

Cuisine: Japanese As authentic a sushi experience as you’re likely to find in Montreal, Kyo Bar Japonais will impress with its izakaya-inspired style and inventive sushi plates. The restaurant also claims Montreal’s most extensive sake list. Address: 711 Côte de le Place d’Armes, Montreal. Telephone: +1 514 282 2711 Website: www.kyobar.com

• L’Avenue

Cuisine: Breakfast and brunch The Plateau is the most vibrant and hip neighbourhood in the city, and L’Avenue reflects that, from the quirky décor (sparkly gold booths and a Harley mounted on the wall above the tables) to the new takes on traditional dinner fare and French comfort food. Very popular for breakfast and lunch, there is often a queue, especially for weekend brunch. It’s renowned for its eggs Benedict. Address: 922 avenue du Mont-Royal East, Montreal. Telephone: +1 514 523 8780 Website: www.restaurantlavenue.ca

Cheap

• Omnivore

Cuisine: Lebanese As its name suggests, Omnivore serves up a mix of beef kebabs, grilled over charcoal, and generous vegetarian mezes. Be sure to try the homemade lemonade in this new eatery in Mont-Royal. Address: 4306 Saint-Laurent Boulevard, Montréal. Telephone: +1 514 303 5757 Website: www.en.omnivoregrill.com

• Schwartz’s

Cuisine: Deli Probably one of the top three destinations to visit on any tourist schedule, Schwartz’s is synonymous with Montreal. The city used to be full of Jewish delis like this one, but sadly Scharwatz’s remains one of the last standing. A classic full fat smoked-meat sandwich on rye with accompanying dill pickles is a must. Their pepper steak rub also makes an excellent souvenir. Address: 3895 boulevard St-Laurent, Montreal. Telephone: +1 514 842 4813 Website: www.schwartzsdeli.com

• St. Viateur Bagel

Cuisine: Bagel Celebrating 50 years of bagel making, St.Viateur Bagel has kept Montrealers happy with their wood-oven roasted bagels ever since they were first introduced by Eastern European immigrants back in the day. More of a breakfast and lunch place, you can choose from numerous bagel sandwiches with your choice of bagel (poppy/sesame). Aromatic, chewy and ever so sweet, the Montreal bagel is the original – it puts international imitations to shame. Address: 263 St Viateur West, Montreal. Telephone: +1 514 276 8044 Website: www.stviateurbagel.com

Montréal Nightlife

A great city for night owls, when the sun goes down, options for night time revelry are abundant in Montreal. For the latest on Montreal’s ever-evolving bar and club scene Nightlife Website: www.nightlife.ca has comprehensive listings. From high brow performances like the symphony or ballet to the more abstract, experimental theatre and contemporary dance, the Montreal arts calendar is booked solid year long, meaning there is plenty on offer for culture vultures.

Bars in Montreal

• Baldwin Barmacie

One of the best places for a cocktail, this bar not only serves excellent drinks, but has a consistently happening atmosphere. The interior design is a pharmacy theme, though not in a gimmicky way. Guest DJs keep the tunes pumping and customers coming until the early hours of the morning. Address: 115 Laurier West, Montreal. Telephone: +1 514 276 4282 Website: www.barhenrietta.com

• Bily Kun

A stylish place indeed with ostrich heads and French tile work on the walls, Bily Kun brings in trendy twenty-somethings in search of fellow hipsters and an overpriced pint. A good place to feel the Plateau’s ‘in’ vibe. Make sure your hair looks good. Address: 354 Mont-Royal East, Montreal. Telephone: +1 514 845 5392 Website: www.bilykun.com

• Winnie’s

A student haunt, ‘Winnie’s, is a perennial favourite. Recently refurbished with leather, wood and marble interiors, it offers affordable beer and a casual atmosphere and is usually first on the hit list before drinkers head off to more upscale joints. It’s also a favourite gathering point on hockey night. Address: 1459 Rue Crescent, Montreal. Telephone: +1 514 288 3814 Website: www.winniesbar.com

Clubs in Montreal

• Bar Le Ritz PDB

Formerly Il Motore, Bar Le Ritz hosts live music and obscure events that make the trip to this neck of the woods worth it. Quirky events of late have included a feminist film festival and Art Matters exhibition. For those curious, the PDB stands for “punks don’t bend,” a nod to the bar’s co-owners, Thierry Amar and Efrim Menuck of Godspeed You! Black Emperor fame. Address: 179 Jean-Talon West, Montreal. Telephone: +1 438 289 9994 Website: www.barleritzpdb.com

• Muzique

Posh nightspot featuring 2 dance floors with eclectic DJ–spun beats & a terrace. One of the swankiest clubs in Montreal, you’ll find the glamour and try-hard decor of Muzique inside the reception area. Open Saturday, Sunday and Monday, the late night club indulges patrons with a contemporary pop soundtrack, complimented by bottle service and outdoor seating. Address: 3781 St Laurent Blvd, Montreal. Telephone: +1 514 282 2224 Website: www.muziquemontreal.com

• Stereo

Sleek nightclub featuring DJs, dancing & a high-end sound system, with frequent events. One of Montreal’s few dedicated after-hour nightclubs, every weekend at Stereo brings some of the best sounds in house and techno, generally banging from 02:00 to 10:00. Address: 858 St Catherine Street East, Montreal. Telephone: +1 514 658 2646 Website: www.tixr.com

Live music in Montreal

• Bell Centre

The venue for big name singers and the heavily promoted, the Bell Centre is a huge arena where tickets can cost in the hundreds for coveted near-stage seats. The building can hold 15,000 concert goers, has disabled access and good ventilation. Address: 1909 Av. des Canadiens-de-Montréal, Montréal. Telephone: +1 514 932 2582 Website: www.centrebell.ca

• Casa del Popolo

Those interested in the underground music scene or at least catching some up and coming bands have got to make a trip to Casa del Popolo. Gigs are always amusing and the venue is friendly and intimate. A popular place for indie muso types. Address: 4873 boulevard St-Laurent, Montreal. Telephone: +1 514 284 0122 Website: www.casadelpopolo.com

• MTELUS

Intimate theater with a balcony featuring a lineup of live bands, along with a full bar. An excellent medium-sized venue for concerts. There is standing and seating area, with a good line of vision to the stage, no matter what angle. Bands enjoy playing here because the atmosphere is intimate but not squished. Address: 59 Ste. Catherine Street, Montreal. Telephone: +1 514 492 1775 Website: www.mtelus.com

Theatres in Montreal

• Centaur Theatre

An English language theatre which regularly executes well directed plays and musicals. The company has won numerous theatre awards. Address: 453 rue St-François-Xavier, Montreal. Telephone: +1 514 288 3161 Website: www.centaurtheatre.com

Montréal Food And Drink

Food In Montreal

• Tourtiere

Tourtiere is a French Canadian meat pie that goes as far back as the 1600s, as a traditional dish made for Christmas. During colonization, these recipes were brought to New France, now modern-day Quebec. Today in Montreal and much of Quebec, tourtière is made from finely-ground pork and beef seasoned with cinnamon and thyme.

• Pouding Chomeur

Called “poor man’s pudding” or “pudding of the unemployed,” it was made with inexpensive ingredients or pantry items that people already had on hand. Think along the lines of a simple cake batter using flour, butter, sugar, eggs, baking powder, salt, and vanilla.

• Poutine

The “true” origin story of poutine—perhaps Montreal’s most iconic dish—is a topic of heated debate. A cautiously accepted version traces its humble roots back to a restaurant in the Quebec dairy town of Warwick in 1957 when one customer ingeniously requested a mixed bag of cheese curds and fries. Poutine is arguably the most famous Québécois dish. The classic poutine is composed of fresh French fries and fresh cheese curds topped with hot brown gravy in a shallow bowl. The cheese curds are usually at room temperature to prevent them from melting and losing their elasticity or “squeakiness”.

• Smoked Meat Sandwich – Brisket

Drink In Montreal

• The Montreal Cocktail

The Montreal Cocktail is a wonderful Rye cocktail created by a collaboration of 15 Montreal bartenders. Intended to represent Montreal’s French (through the use of Suze) & English (through the use of Gin) influences, it also throws a little Italian (Aperol) in for good measure.

Montréal Hotels

Canada’s cultural capital, Montréal is a beautiful fusion of old and new, with striking heritage architecture, modern skyscrapers, enchanting museums and trendy rooftop bars. There’s an excellent array of accommodation options, from small modern hotels to imposing luxury properties to fit a whole range of budgets. Our pick of the best places to stay in Montréal promises something to suit any discerning traveller: from swish, design-minded visitors eager to unpack their bags downtown, to romantic couples dreaming of unwinding in riverside bliss and even those who want to travel with their four legged friends. Explore Montréal’s charming old town, characterised by grand stone buildings, before strolling down to the Vieux Port for a glimpse into the city’s trading past. Converted waterfront warehouse hotels in this neighbourhood offer a chic, laid-back feel, whilst Old Montréal is home to elegantly restored Beaux-Arts façades housing lovely hotels, boutiques and restaurants. Admire the striking Basilica of Notre-Dame, the Museum of Fine Arts, and the Botanical Gardens, as well as popping into the many lovely churches dotted around the city. The Rue St Denis well worth discovering, as is the street art of the St. Laurent Boulevard. Alternatively, for slick, contemporary luxury, head downtown, where trendy hotels offer spectacular views of the city’s modern skyline. This is a seriously exciting city for food and culture, with a brilliant programme of lively musical, theatrical and culinary events throughout the year. Look out for small galleries, exhibition spaces, live music venues and pop-ups showcasing fabulous talents. For an immersion into Montréal’s fascinating French past, explore Plateau Mont-Royal, packed with vintage and bohemian cafes, galleries and shops, whilst trendy Mile End also makes for a fun wander. With a huge array of cuisines on offer — in hipster bars, tiny patisseries or smart bistros — there’s no shortage of eateries and watering holes in which to relax and refuel. Although Montréal’s winters are immensely cold, this is a popular year-round destination, so book your stay well in advance to avoid missing out! Whether you’re looking to amble through characterful markets, delve into the charm of the old town or perch on a terrace soaking up some live late-night jazz, the best places to stay in Montréal offer the perfect opportunity to unwind before another day of adventure.